Zihark: Then you must know Brom… Hold on a second… You look exactly like him. Are you two related?

Meg: We sure are! I’m his daughter. His… youngest daughter.

Zihark: Oh, I’ve heard stories! He loves to tell stories about his kids. He said that you could lift a full-grown cow! It’s nice to meet the person I’ve heard so much about! How is Brom? Doing well?

Meg: Yes! Yes, he is! He works ALL the time. I do wish he would slow down…

Zihark: Ah, yes. Well, it’s good to hear he’s staying busy. Brom, huh? Wow, brings back memories… Well, if you’re his daughter, I’ll do whatever I can to help you. You said you were looking for somebody? who is this person?

Meg: Well… He’s my… He’s my fiance.

Zihark: How could any guy leave a girl like you? What’s this lucky guy’s name? What’s he like?

Pelleas: Can I pour you some tea? Or is there something else you would prefer?

Micaiah: I’m fine, thank you. What did you want to speak with me about?

Pelleas: I know you are angry with me. Please, forgive me.

Micaiah: Can you tell me why you stopped showing up at our meetings?

Pelleas: It was at Izuka’s request.

Micaiah: You are the leader of this army! You cannot simply leave all the decisions to someone else!

Pelleas: …I’m sorry. I’ll ask Izuka before the next meeting. I need his permission to attend.

Micaiah: Why? You’re the prince. Why should you need any man’s permission, much less your own advisor’s?

Pelleas: Yes, I am the prince, but… I owe much to Izuka. He taught me everything I needed to know to become a proper member of the royal family. He contacted Tauroneo and the other senators from Daein for help. Without his power and influence, I would never have mustered an army–or met my own mother.

Micaiah: I see. You were alone…

Pelleas: Pardon?

Micaiah: And then Izuka reunited you with your mother, gave you a place to stay, and provided you with a reason to live. And you feel you owe him a debt of gratitude for ending your loneliness. That is why you try to do as you are told–as Izuka wishes.

Pelleas: Micaiah, you’re–

Micaiah: I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to–That was inappropriate.

Pelleas: You’re amazing!

Micaiah: Amazing?

Pelleas: You really can read minds! I’m simply amazed! You saw right through me!

Micaiah: …

Pelleas: Sorry, I got too excited. Look at me, I’m sweating.

Micaiah: Prince Pelleas!

Pelleas: What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?

Micaiah: That mark…

Pelleas: Oh… that.

Micaiah: What is it?

Pelleas: It’s called the Spirit’s Protection. The source of all magic in this world is tied to the power of the spirits. When you make a pact with such a spirit, its power manifests on your body like this.

Micaiah: I… see.

Pelleas: What am I saying? You already know all of this, of course. You have the Spirit’s Protection, too.

Micaiah: What?

Pelleas: I saw you washing your hands the other day. When I walked up to say hello, I saw the mark on your right hand.

Micaiah: You saw…

Pelleas: I thought of confiding in you right away, but my mother called for me. I didn’t get a chance to tell you until now.

Micaiah: Do you think this mark is really the Spirit’s Protection?

Pelleas: Oh! You didn’t enter into the pact yourself?

Micaiah: No.

Pelleas: I see. So, it must have been the spirit who wished to make a pact with you.

Micaiah: Pardon?

Pelleas: It’s a very rare phenomenon among newborns. Usually it happens to infants who have an exceptional talent for magic. You truly are amazing, Micaiah.

Micaiah: I don’t know about that…

Pelleas: Let’s keep this among ourselves… We don’t want people to confuse us with the Branded.

Micaiah: What are the “Branded”?

Pelleas: I’m pretty sure it refers to beorc who have laguz blood in their veins. I know, it’s hard to imagine someone with the blood of a sub-human running through their veins. Anyway, I’ve been terribly mistreated by people who thought I was one of the Branded.

Micaiah: …

Pelleas: Micaiah?

Micaiah: Oh… sorry. I think I understand more about you now, and about the marks we share…

Pelleas: I’m glad I was able to tell you. I’m surprised you didn’t know. Come talk to me again sometime.

Micaiah: Certainly.

Pelleas: Oh, I almost forgot. Here. I wanted to give you this.

Micaiah: What is it?

Pelleas: It’s this splendid sword I recently acquired. It gives its wielder the upper hand in battle. Keep it or give it to whomever you like.

Micaiah: Shouldn’t you give it to the soldier you deem most worthy?

Pelleas: No, I wouldn’t want the soldiers thinking I’m giving anyone special treatment. It would be inappropriate. That’s what Izuka says, anyway. So I think you should do it.

Micaiah: I understand. You must have so much on your mind.

Pelleas: Indeed. I long for the old days when I was poor, but had few worries.

Micaiah: Prince Pelleas…

Pelleas: But I’ll keep fighting. I won’t stop until Daein is free once more.

Izuka: “There’s no need to distract the prince with the war’s petty details. He won’t be coming to any more meetings. From now on, consider my words the prince’s own.”

Micaiah: “I’m not sure that’s–“

Izuka: “Enough idle chatter. Come have a glance, my pretties.”

Izuka: “Our next target shall be Umono. Among all the work camps, it is one of the largest.”

Tauroneo: “Conditions within the prison camp are harsh. If we are to save the prisoners, every moment matters.”

Sothe: “One of the largest work camps…Can our forces handle that?”

Izuka: “…Such a trivial concern, and one my profound genius has already addressed! Behold this lake next to the camp that provides fresh water to all there. Into this lake, we shall dump a deadly toxin of my own devising! Then we’ll sit back…as the enemy slowly dies.”

Micaiah: “What are you saying?! Poison is inexcusably vile! I will agree to no such plan.”

Izuka: “Wha-wha-what was that?! You! You! How dare you question my plan, conceived in a state of exalted meditation!”

Micaiah: “No matter how misguided the enemy may be, we must fight with compassion and consideration for the innocent.”

Sothe: “She’s right. Poison doesn’t discriminate. Prisoners would die too. And any nearby villages would be affected. And then what would happen? People would doubt us, question our cause, maybe even side against us. And it would cast a stain on Prince Pelleas’s name, don’t you think?”

Izuka: “Errrrrgh…”

Izuka: “Fine then! Do as you like! And when you find yourselves utterly defeated, you can come crawling back to me!”

Tauroneo: “My apologies to both of you. When Lord Izuka gets excited, he can lose all sight of reason.”

Micaiah: “I apologize too, General Tauroneo. He stormed out because I–“

Tauroneo: “You needn’t apologize. You are in the right. I would never condone the use of poison. However, this does mean we must devise another plan if we are to have any hope of victory.”

Micaiah: “Yes, you’re right. In that case, what do you think of this strategy?”

Ex-Daein Soldier: “You’re the Liberation Army. I’ve heard about you… I’ll never forget my debt to you. If I survive and make it home, I vow to devote the rest of my life to your cause. I’ll fight for Daein honor, like you do.”

Izuka: “S-see here! Sothe! Who were those three, and where did they come from? Will they join my Liberation Army?”

Sothe: “They are my personal acquaintances from Begnion. And yeah, they can handle themselves in a fight. But if any more laguz join us, there will be problems. We’ve managed to hide Volug and his true nature, but…with more laguz, it will surely get out.”

Izuka: “Any such backlash can be extinguished with proper punishment. But laguz… They’re powerful! (And expendable…) Just what we need. By all means, invite them to join!”

Sothe: “They’re good friends. I’m sure they’ll agree to help if I ask (you mumbling creep). But… Isn’t it the prince–and not you–who should make those decisions?”

Izuka: “I’m glad you see. Now, quickly, quickly…go talk to your friends. And see to it you don’t foul up.”

Sothe: “How did you get here so soon? More importantly, how did the investigation go?”

Tormod: “It went great! In fact, we finished up so quickly that we flew here to back you up in case you needed help.”

Micaiah: “Um…”

Tormod: “Oh, sorry I haven’t introduced myself yet. You’re Micaiah, I take it? I’m Tormod! Three years back, Sothe and I were in the Crimean Army…sorta. We fought side by side as mercenaries under Ike.”

Sothe: “I began to doubt that the apostle–Begnion’s empress–actually knew what was happening in Daein. At only thirteen, the apostle may be young, but she’s proud and upstanding. She’d never let these kinds of things happen to Daein. So, I asked Tormod to fill her in on what was really happening here.”

Tormod: “This is what we learned… The apostle had noticed something shady about Daein. She was investigating on her own. She traced the ones pulling the strings to a certain faction of senators. Now, she’s snapping mad, but without proof, she can’t publicly move against them.”

Tormod: “The apostle is the highest power in Daein… Even so, she and the senate are rarely on good terms with each other. Sothe, she promised she’d help us however she can. She said to do whatever is necessary…And that inspired me to find you sooner than later.”

Sothe: “I see. So… I can depend on having you three around, for at least a little while?”

Tormod: “Yeah! Your old pal here is gonna take care of everything. Just try getting rid of me!”

Sothe: “I can only try!”

Tormod: “What do you mean by that?! Ah, you’re as blockheaded as ever.”

Micaiah: “That Sothe… He looks happy, for some reason.”

Muarim: “Because he’s reunited with my little one?”

Micaiah: “That must be it… Oh, Sothe, ever since he was small, he’s tried to act more grown up than the grown-ups… I’ve taken care of him so long, and still I’ve never seen him smile so easily before.”